Chapter 38: The Garment
As they walked, Lianqiao noticed Liu Ruyi staring intently at the plaque above the courtyard gate and smiled. "This was written by our young miss."
Liu Ruyi smiled in return. "Fine calligraphy." It was often said that one could judge a person by their handwriting, and Liu Ruyi found herself feeling a hint of goodwill toward this Jiang family young lady she had yet to meet.
Upon entering the room, Lianqiao announced, "Young Miss, Madam Liu from Ruyi Pavilion has arrived."
Jiang Ruan set down the book in her hands and looked up. Liu Ruyi was momentarily stunned. Despite having served countless noble households and encountered innumerable beauties over the years, she couldn't help but be taken aback by Jiang Ruan's appearance.
Jiang Ruan seemed to have tired from reading, her entire body nestled into the soft divan, appearing almost languid. Yet when she lifted her gaze, there was an unconscious laziness in her demeanor, coupled with a lingering sharpness in her upturned, alluring eyes—like a coldly enchanting rose, exuding an icy allure.
She smiled at Liu Ruyi, and in an instant, that cold beauty melted away, replaced by a warmth as gentle and bright as spring water. "Madam Liu."
Liu Ruyi quickly composed herself and returned the smile. "I've come to make garments for Young Miss Jiang. Here are several bolts of silk—please choose one."
On the table lay several rolls of the finest silver-threaded silk, in colors favored by young women: the hue of a sky after rain, autumn spice, peach pink, bright pink, and soft yellow. Xia Yan had deliberately selected these vibrant, eye-catching shades—flawless on the surface. Yet wearing such colors would inevitably relegate Jiang Ruan to the role of Jiang Susu's foil, for the brighter the hues, the more ethereal and refined Jiang Susu's pristine white robes would appear.
Jiang Ruan pointed to the boldest red silk at the center. "This one."
Liu Ruyi glanced at her in surprise, not expecting her to choose the most striking color. After a brief pause, she smiled. "Young Miss Jiang's fair complexion will be beautifully complemented by this red."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "Madam Liu, I presume Susu has chosen white silk?"
"Indeed. Young Miss Susu has always preferred understated elegance." At this, realization dawned on Liu Ruyi, and her gaze toward Jiang Ruan shifted. "The capital praises Young Miss Susu as a peerless celestial beauty, but now I see that Young Miss Jiang is the true queen of brilliance." Liu Ruyi sighed inwardly. This Jiang Ruan possessed a mind of extraordinary subtlety. While vibrant colors might seem garish next to Jiang Susu's refined simplicity, a fiery red—worn by someone already striking—would not be so easily overshadowed. Jiang Susu sought to be the center of attention, yet unwittingly, she had become the foil. Liu Ruyi, straightforward by nature and already fond of Jiang Ruan, now admired her even more. "Rest assured, Young Miss. The garments from Ruyi Pavilion will ensure you stand out with grace and splendor, the most dazzling of all."
Jiang Ruan smiled again. "Thank you, Madam Liu."
After the measurements were taken, the garments from Ruyi Pavilion arrived a few days later. Since they were made for several Jiang family young ladies, they were all delivered to Old Madam Jiang's Guilan Courtyard. By the time Jiang Ruan and Lianqiao arrived, Jiang Susu was already there. Spotting Jiang Ruan, she smiled sweetly. "Da Jiejie, have you also come to see the new clothes?"Jiang Ruan nodded slightly as Jiang Susu continued, "It's just a few pieces of clothing. Grandmother insists on gathering all the sisters together. It's always the same things, and they all look similar. What's there to see?" Her words were innocent and carefree, matching her ethereal, fairy-like appearance that seemed utterly disinterested in jewelry and garments—completely devoid of worldly desires. Such a woman appeared not to belong to the mortal world, as if she were born to be cherished in someone's palm, forever innocent and untroubled. In her past life, Jiang Susu had been renowned throughout the capital for her talent, yet unlike other women who coveted fame and fortune, she was universally praised. Jiang Ruan had once believed this younger sister was untouched by worldly concerns—until the final moments of her previous life, when she realized Jiang Susu was not without desires. She did not disdain worldly gains; rather, she aimed only for the highest position, dismissing everything else as beneath her.
In this life, Jiang Susu was still young, but Jiang Ruan wondered if she already possessed that same resolve.
Old Madam Jiang chuckled at Jiang Susu's words and scolded lightly, "What young lady doesn’t enjoy dressing up? Yet here you are, always as plain as a maid. At your age, you should be wearing bright colors." Despite her words, the old madam’s eyes gleamed with approval—clearly, she too believed that Jiang Susu’s refined beauty was best complemented by simplicity.
Jiang Susu frowned slightly. "I don’t like those things. I heard Da Jiejie requested red satin—is that true?"
Jiang Ruan nodded. "Yes. Since the New Year has just passed, I thought it fitting to wear something festive." The reasoning was sound, leaving Jiang Susu with nothing further to say.
As they waited, Jiang Li and Jiang Dan entered one after another. Both paid their respects to Old Madam Jiang before standing aside. Jiang Li behaved properly in front of the old madam, though her gaze toward Jiang Ruan carried a hint of arrogance—otherwise, there was nothing to criticize. Jiang Dan, however, appeared timid, nervously twisting the hem of her dress as if uncomfortable with the gathering.
A short while later, Cai Que, the old madam’s maid, entered carrying a small chest. Smiling, she said, "Manager Liu of Ruyi Pavilion said these four pieces were rushed first. The spring garments will be ready later, and Eldest Miss can choose more fabrics then."
Among the four Jiang sisters, Jiang Ruan had the fewest clothes—mostly old garments brought from the countryside. Naturally, Old Madam Jiang wouldn’t allow her to wear such things outside, so she had first purchased ready-made clothes for her. Once the weather improved, new outfits for all four seasons would be tailored.
Jiang Li’s gaze hardened, and she shot Jiang Ruan a sharp glare, her displeasure evident. However, with the old madam present, she ultimately held her tongue.
Cai Que opened the small chest. "Young misses, please choose."
The clothes were neatly folded inside the exquisite wooden box specially made by Ruyi Pavilion. Jiang Susu glanced at Jiang Ruan. "Da Jiejie, you pick first."
Jiang Ruan shook her head. "As the eldest, Dan Niang should go first."
Cai Que smiled. "The clothes are all ready—it makes no difference who picks first."
At this, Jiang Susu said apologetically, "That’s true. Then I’ll just choose directly."What Jiang Susu took out from the chest was indeed a snow-white fox fur coat, paired with an embroidered brocade skirt of the same color. The design was exquisite and unique, yet not overly elaborate, exuding nobility in every detail. Even though Jiang Susu wanted to appear indifferent to clothing, she couldn't help but reveal a faint smile when she saw the finished garment.
When Jiang Li saw Jiang Susu's outfit, a trace of displeasure flashed in her eyes. However, the clothing of the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family had always been more carefully considered than that of the illegitimate daughter, not to mention how favored Jiang Susu was. Though resentful, Jiang Li dared not say anything more. Jiang Li's outfit was a light purple brocade jacket paired with a lotus-green scattered-flower skirt, adorned with gold-wrapped buttons, which still made her look strikingly beautiful.
(End of Chapter)
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